Clothes-retainer for clothes-lines.



Patented Mar. 19, l90l.

I M. s. cnoss.

CLOTHES RETAINER FOR CLOTHES LINES.

(Application filed Nov. 6, 1900.)

(No Model.)

INVENTOR. MQTLO/AS. 6. 7 6 E B j ATTORNE).

NITED STATES FFICEQ MARION S. GROSS, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LE GRAND B. CANNON AND JOHN T. CANNON, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,397, dated March 19, 1901.

Application filed November 6, 1900- Serial No. 35,673. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARION S. CROSS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Retainers for Clothes-Lines; and I do declare the following to be a-full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in clothes-retainers for clothes-lines, more especially intended for use in connection with clothes hung out to dry after washing. It may, however, be advantageously employed in other relations.

The invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the clothes-line with my improved device inuse. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in detail. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken through the lower part of the device, showing the supported article in place. Fig. 4. is a perspective view illustrating the device shown in a different position from that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a front elevation showing still another position. Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 3, the supporting device being given an additional turn or convolution. r

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

My improved device is preferably formed of wire, and consists of three partsnamely, the yoke 5, the depending U-shaped part 6, connected with the yoke by cranks formed in the part 6, and the locking-piece 7, movably mounted on the part 6. The yoke 5 is provided with an eye 5*,formed in its central part, through which the supporting rope or wire line 8 passes. This eye is formed by a coil in the wire so arranged as to cause the coil to grip the line as the weight of the supported clothes acts thereon. As shown in the drawof the part6.

ings, the yoke slopes slightly downwardly from the eye in both directions, as shown at 5, to the bends 5,from which points arms 5 lead downwardly and terminate in eyes 5, which form bearings for the double cranks 6 Each crank terminates at its outer extremity in a handpiece 6. From the inner arms of the cranks a short horizontal part extends inwardly, as shown at 6 and from these parts 6 arms 6 lead downwardly and are connected by a horizontal part 6. The locking-piece '7 terminates in eyes 7, formed by bending its extremities in opposite directions around the arms 6 upon which the part '7 slides freely.

In using the device one of the parts 6 is grasped by one hand of the user and the part 6 turned to either of the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and while heldin either of these positions the corner or other part of the garment or article to be supported is passed over the part 6 and while held in this position by one hand the part 6 is turned with the other hand. If the article to be supported'is heavy, a half or three-quarter turn of the part 6 will be sufficient, in which event the said part is turned until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 2, when the piece 7 drops down and the weight of the garment or article pulling down upon it causes it to grip the article tightly. (See Fig. If the article to be supported by the devicehas but little weight comparatively, it is advisable to give the part 6 an additional turn or revolution in order to fasten it beyond possibility of accidental removal. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 6. In order to remove the article, it is only necessary that the turning movement of the part 6 be reversed. In the explanation heretofore given it is assumed that the part 6 is turned in a direction away from the user.

Any number of these devices maybe strung upon the line 8, upon which they are normally readily movable. When, however, the articles or garments are placed in position, their gravity causes the devices to grip the line and maintain themselves in the adjusted position. The adjacent corners of two articles or garments may be held by the same device, as in the case of an ordinary clothes-pin. My improved devices are always in place LIX upon the line, being preferably made of galvanized wire or other material not liable to rust or corrode.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is-- 1. The combination with a suppoitingline, of a clothes-retainer comprising a yoke n1ov able on said line and provided with depending arms, a depending iJ-shaped part journaled in the yoke-arms, and of less width than the yoke to allow it to turn in the latter, and a locking device slidably mounted on the arms of the U-shaped part.

2. The combination with a supporting'line, of a clothes-retainer comprising a yoke having an eye formed in its central portion through which the line passes, said eye consisting of a coil arranged to grip the line as weight is applied to the yoke, a U-shaped part journaled in the yoke-arms, and of less width than the yoke to allow it to turn in the latter, and a locking-piece slidably mounted on the arms of the U-shaped part.

Ina clothes-retainer, the combination of a yoke arranged to be supported by a suitable line, a U shaped device journaled on the yoke and of less width than the yoke to allow it to turn within the latter, and a locking part slidably mounted on the U-shaped part.

l. In a clothes-holder the combination of a yoke having depending arms terminating in 1 bearings, a U-shaped part having, double cranks engaging said bearings, and a locking piece slidably mounted on the U-shaped part.

5. A clothes-holder comprising a wire yoke bent to form a gripping-coil for the line and having depending arms termii'iating in eyes, a U-shaped device formed of wire and having double cranks engaging the eyes of the yoke, a wire locking-piece having eyes formed in its extremities and bent around the arms of the U-shaped device, in opposite directions, whereby the said locking-piece is slidable on said arms.

6. A retaining device comprising bearings, a Ushaped part having lateral projections engaging said bearings, and of less width than the hearings to allow it toturn therein, and a locking part slidable on the arms of the U-shaped part.

7. A device comprising bearings, a U- shaped part having cranks engaging said bearings, the U-shaped part being of less width than the bearings to allow it to turn within the latter, and a locking part slidable on the U-shaped part.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MARION S. GROSS.

Witnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN, DORA C. SHICK. 

